Fancy a dAIquiri? How about a Manhattandroid or a Cyborg Sling?
When you’re at Royal Caribbean’s Bionic Bar, every drink you order has a robot theme, as they have their own crew of cocktail-making automatons that can whip you up what you want in a matter of seconds.
The cruise company features robotic bartenders on nine of its 28 ships, with two Makr Shakr machines in each Bionic Bar shaking and stirring up to 1,000 drinks every day.
The mechanical arms can produce two drinks every 60 seconds, with ‘an almost endless combination’ of cocktails and mocktails ranging from classics and signature serves to design-your-own options.
Passengers can choose from 30 spirits and 21 mixers (including sugar, mint and citrus fruits) and order on a tablet near the counter.
You can even select how strong you’d like your drink, whether you want ice, and how exactly you’d like it prepared.
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Say bon voyage to the more traditional categories of ‘best large ship’ or ‘best luxury cruise line’ and instead ahoy to innovation, food and drink and showstopping performances.
The robots will then collect the requested ingredients, mix everything together and dispense into a glass, which the customer picks up or is delivered to their table by a human waiter.
While you wait, an interactive wall above the bar displays fun statistics about your order, as well as how many people are in the queue and what the robot mixologists are currently working on.
There’s no time or drink limit here, and cocktails are priced similarly to other bars on board. Better still, if you’ve purchased an unlimited Royal Caribbean drinks package, every futuristic tipple you enjoy is included free of charge.
It’s worth bearing in mind, the Bionic Bars can get busy at peak times, so there may be a slight wait. For a dram with a difference, however, it’s well worth a visit.
Don’t worry about this tech taking crew’s jobs either: even though they’re machines, they’re not perfect, and human staff members are required to refill empty bottles and mop up the occasional spill.
Which Royal Caribbean ships have a Bionic Bar?
- Anthem of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Odyssey of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean has been shortlisted for the Sailawaze Excellence Awards in the technology category, both for its Bionic Bar concept and a range of other cool features.
Alongside a crowd-busting elevator system (where passengers can input the floor they want into a touchpad and then be shown to the right lift with room left that gets them to their destination quickest) its ships also feature the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture, The Pearl.
In terms of entertainment, robots double up as diving boards and set creators in the high-octane Aqua Action show, with a double 3D flying system that catapults divers, slackliners and aerial performers around the AquaDome for maximum wow factor.
Up against Royal Caribbean in the category there’s some stiff competition.
Scenic’s nomination is all about the world’s first Discovery Yachts: Built for up to 228 passengers, and exploration equipment that features two helicopters, a submersible, Zodiacs, kayaks and paddleboards.
Princess Cruises is nominated for its Medallion, a small wearable device that streamlines embarkation processes, unlocks cabin doors and offers personalised service. Travellers can participate in interactive games and activities, and easily locate friends and family using the Medallion app, too.
Then there’s MSC Cruises’ Helios Wine Bar, which features state-of-the-art multi-touch tables activated by digital coasters where you can learn about and taste 96 featured wines. It also boasts the longest LED dome at sea on MSC Euribia, with virtual reality experiences (Formula Racer VR race, flight simulator, VR motorbikes) and interactive cinema.
Norwegian Cruise Line is up for the gong for its interactive video game arcade, 7D Cinema (yes, SEVEN, with special effects, moving chairs and interactive shooting) and Nascar-style car race.
Sailawaze Excellence Awards – the nominations
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Virgin Voyages
Aqua Expeditions
TUI River Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Explora Journeys
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
P&O Cruises
Cunard
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Celestyal
WELLNESS
Explora Journeys
Emerald Cruises
Amawaterways
Virgin Voyages
Swan Hellenic
Silversea
Viking
TECHNOLOGY
Scenic
Princess Cruises
MSC Cruises
Royal Caribbean
NCL
SUSTAINABILITY
AE Expeditions
The Majestic Line
Portsmouth International Port
Hurtigruten
MSC Cruises
EXCURSIONS
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Oceania Cruises
Havila Voyages
Pandaw Expeditions
Azamara
Holland America Line
CroisiEurope
Hurtigruten
Uniworld
INCLUSION
Celebrity Cruises
Virgin Voyages
VIVA Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Saga Cruises
A- Rosa Cruises
Royal Caribbean
ENTERTAINMENT
P&O Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
NCL
Marella Cruises
Princess Cruises
COLLABORATIONS
Ambassador Cruise Line
A-Rosa Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Ponant
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
MSC Cruises
P&O Cruises
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